Bell Atlantic Launches Interactive Yellow Pages on the World Wide Web

Bell Atlantic Launches Interactive Yellow Pages on the World Wide Web

Service Focuses on Local Communities and Niche Markets

February 11, 1997

BETHESDA, Md. - After a successful one-year trial, Bell
Atlantic
Electronic Publishing Inc. today introduced the commercial application
of the Bell Atlantic Interactive Yellow Pages on the World Wide Web
(http://yellowpages.badg.com).

The new electronic directory provides users with extensive original
content in the Special Interest areas of leisure travel, home
improvement and business information, as well as a broad range of
local community and government information for the mid-Atlantic
region.

Content for the communities of Washington, D.C.; Montgomery County,
Md.; Prince George's County, Md.; Northern Virginia; Baltimore, Md.,
and Norfolk, Va., is currently available. Other communities and other
Special Interest categories will be added throughout the year.

"We are dedicated to fulfilling the needs of both consumers and
businesses by providing a one-stop resource for comprehensive
community and regional information," said Christine C. Lundregan,
president, Bell Atlantic Electronic Publishing. "Advertising on
Bell
Atlantic's Interactive Yellow Pages will bring qualified buyers to a
company's doorstep and can establish or enhance their presence on the
Internet's World Wide Web."

"The Bell Atlantic Interactive Yellow Pages is a valuable resource
for
local residents interested in information about their own community or
for anyone traveling to or around Washington, D.C., and the six states
within the Bell Atlantic region," said Steve Kling, director, new
business development, Bell Atlantic Electronic Publishing. "The
service contains compelling and useful information that is relevant to
a wide variety of Internet users."

As an example, someone moving to Norfolk, Va., can use the Bell
Atlantic Interactive Yellow Pages to access community information on
the neighborhoods, business climate and transportation options in the
area. Someone starting a home-based business in Baltimore, Md., can
use the Special Interest business category for tips on marketing and
growing their business or to locate federal and state government
agencies which offer assistance.

In addition, the Special Internet travel category includes many
regional and local links and 12 Personal Choices categories, such as
Urban Explorer, Outdoor Adventures, Family Fun or Historic Highlights.
The Personal Choices categories help users customize travel plans,
focus on individual interests and travel styles, and find sample
itineraries and travel tips.

Also included in the electronic directory is Big Yellow,* a product of
NYNEX Information Technologies, located in Middleton, Mass. Big
Yellow includes listings for over 16 million businesses across the
United States and a nationwide residential White Pages. In addition
to a variety of advertising opportunities on the Community and Special
Interest pages, Bell Atlantic also offers Big Yellow's complete line
of advertising products to businesses throughout the Bell Atlantic
region.

The exclusive, original content found on the Bell Atlantic Interactive
Yellow Pages has been provided by a variety of experts in the fields
of travel, home improvement and small business. In addition, more
than 200 links to other web sites will give consumers access to added
resources and information on specific areas of interest.

The Bell Atlantic
Interactive Yellow Pages was first introduced in a
trial offering in September 1995.

Bell Atlantic Electronic Publishing Inc. is a separate subsidiary of
Bell Atlantic. Bell Atlantic Corp.
(NYSE:BEL) is at the forefront of
the new communications, entertainment and information industry. In
the mid-Atlantic region, the company is the premier provider of local
telecommunications and advanced services. Globally, it is one of the
largest investors in the high-growth wireless communication
marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a substantial interest in
Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively developing
high-growth national and international business opportunities in all
phases of the industry.

####

* Trademark of NYNEX